Mr. Ravi Menon is the Co-Chairman of Sobha Realty, a leading developer in Dubai and a Harvard case study for backward integration in the real estate. Alongside his father, Mr. PNC Menon, Founder and Chairman of Sobha Group, Ravi will oversee the operations of Sobha's numerous business entities in Dubai.
A Civil Engineering graduate with Honours from Purdue University, USA, Ravi joined Sobha India in 2004 as Director. He became Vice Chairman in 2006 and Chairman in 2012, playing a key role in diversifying products and expanding geographies. Under his leadership, Sobha has become known for international standards and on-time delivery.
Ravi is known for his attention to detail and innovation, overseeing departments such as Design and Engineering, Project Management, and Quality. He successfully integrated precast technology and enhanced product delivery, quality, and customer relationship management. He has received numerous awards, including 'Best CEO of the Year 2016' and 'EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award 2013'.
Passionate about community development like his father, Ravi promotes 'Compassionate Responsibility' and continues the 'Graamasobha' community model, offering homes for senior citizens and widows, free medical services, education, and social rehabilitation for the poor.
Francis Alfred
MANAGING DIRECTOR, SOBHA GROUP
Mr. Francis Alfred is the Managing Director of Sobha Group, one of the leading real estate companies in UAE. A forward-looking leader with vast experience in the field, Mr. Francis has played diverse roles and led the Company's business operations across India and the UAE for two decades before he was appointed as the Managing Director of Sobha's middle-east operations in 2016.
He is overseeing the geographical expansion and diversification of the Company's real estate development business. He is responsible for the overall management and monitoring of master planning, project lifecycle, design, and delivery of all projects under development. His hands-on leadership style has been instrumental in ensuring the timely delivery of projects that meet the highest standards of quality and excellence. Under his watch, Sobha has witnessed achievements and milestones that have catapulted the Company into the ranks of leading real estate developers in the UAE today. An expert in the contemporary and innovative construction style, Francis plays keen attention on digitalization to propel Sobha and the real estate industry forward.
An enthusiastic reader, Mr. Francis is a civil engineer and also holds a technology degree from India's Annamalai University. He is self-reflective, informed, and loves intellectual discussions. His leadership qualities are further highlighted by encouraging collaboration and critical thinking among team members to achieve shared goals.
Varughese Mathew
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER, SOBHA GROUP
Mr. Varughese is an internationally acclaimed Arbitrator, an expert in Construction, Property, and Real Estate Management, his highly ethical and goal-oriented team approach, contributed success to many Business Organizations and Institutions.
Mr. Varughese has extensive experience in construction and property development in the Middle East and India and has been in senior positions with some of the best Multinational companies such as Kvaerner, Skanska, Carillion, and Sama - EC Harris, TDIC and managed some of the major international projects such as Museums, Autodrome, Airport, Bridges, Hotels, Residential complexes, Power Plants, etc.
Anish V John
Chief Project Officer
Mr. Anish V John is a veteran in the construction industry having 20 years of experience in various developments. Following his formal education in Civil Engineering from the prestigious National Institute of Technology, Calicut, Anish has been part of Sobha for 16 years and has been an integral part of our growth.
Over the years Anish has gained vivid experience from the Indian and UAE construction ecosystem. Working with various facets of the industry has enabled him to have an objective-oriented approach towards any project.
During his tenure in UAE, Anish has successfully obtained unlimited building licenses from the Dubai Municipality, UAE. Anish has directly developed and managed wide-ranging multi-cultural groups, fostering organizational values in new talents and elevating them to greater potential.
In 2022, Anish was appointed as Executive Vice President and has since led the organization to deliver greater excellence and provide a great foundation for long-term strategic growth. In 2024, he was elevated to the role of Chief Project Officer.
Mr. Anish’s management, leadership, and technical prowess in his field have enabled him to successfully deliver over 1.5 billion AED in revenue. These include various wide-ranging developments in the commercial, corporate, and residential landscape.
Vipin Das Kanakkassery
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT
Mr. Vipin Das is an experienced project management professional with a passion for success. He joined Sobha as a trainee engineer and over a period of more than 22 years of association, he has transformed himself into an accomplished leader.
During a career span of more than two decades, he has established his reputation of aiming for excellence in every aspect of construction and his punctilious attitude towards every detail has made him execute the projects with ease.
He has wide experience in handling various sectors comprising real estate, residential/ commercial developments & IT parks in India & UAE markets.
Sobha Group’s expansion into UAE’s real estate market made him relocate and take up assignments since 2015 in Dubai, where he completed a high-end luxury residential project, District-1 and various high-rise developments. The cumulative volume of projects being handled at various stages is currently valued at USD 4.6 billion.
He possesses a solid educational foundation, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from University of Calicut, India. Furthermore, his accreditation as a Project Management Professional (PMP) highlights his adeptness in efficiently and precisely managing large-scale development & construction projects.
Karthikraj Rajendran
Deputy Chief Project Officer
Mr. Karthikraj Rajendran has around 18 years of experience in commercial controls and project management. He has been associated with Sobha since 2006, where he has held commercial, estimation, and budgeting operational roles and gained a deep understanding of the company's culture, people, and processes. Recently, he served as the head of the Structure and Frames Division, overseeing the operations of projects. He has constantly taken up new challenges and has proven his success.
Since his inception as the Head of the Structure and Frames Division in October 2020, he has successfully delivered a remarkable value of 0.5 billion within just two years, focusing primarily on the structure work scope. Now, he is embarking on a new and exciting challenge—the prestigious Sobha One project, which boasts a staggering worth of 2.25 billion. With his exceptional track record and expertise, he is poised to make significant contributions to this endeavour, further solidifying his reputation as a dynamic and accomplished leader in the industry. He holds a B.Tech Degree in Civil Engineering from Anna University, Chennai.
Chris George
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT INFRASTRUCTURE & LANDSCAPING
Mr. Chris George, a highly accomplished professional in the field of construction, is an invaluable asset to Sobha, a distinguished professional with an exceptional career in the construction industry. With an impressive 28 years of experience in UAE & Sultanate of Oman, managing projects such as Community/City development, Infrastructure Works, International Airports, Sports stadiums, Golf Course, Landscaping, and Industrial development sectors with over a value of US $ 1.2 Billion, he brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise, that is second to none. With this remarkable experience, Mr. Chris has consistently demonstrated his expertise and leadership in various roles, which made him to reside the position of Executive Vice President - Infrastructure & Landscape Division with Sobha Construction LLC. He accomplished his engineering degree in Civil & Construction from Mahatma Gandhi University in Kerala, India and he is an IRCA-certified ISO 9001:2000, ISO 14001: 2018, and OHSAS 18001 lead auditor. He has a comprehensive understanding of the principles and practices that underpin successful construction projects.
Safeer Mohammed
HR HEAD & DIRECTOR TRANSFORMATION
Mr. Safeer Mohammed is a global HR professional with 20+ years of multiple industry experience. He is currently working as Director Transformation & Head of Human Resources for Sobha Constructions, Facade, Latinem & Stay business for Middle East region. He is a Co-Founder with Watermelon Consulting Pvt Ltd. Prior to this role he was the Chief Human Resources Officer of iD Fresh Food Pvt Ltd. Prior to that he worked as Director & Head of Talent Development with Stanley Black Decker, where he was responsible for Emerging Markets which includes Middle East & North Africa, South Asia, Sub Saharan Africa, Russia & Turkey. He has been associated with organizations like General Electric, KPMG etc.in impactful leadership roles and has been responsible for multicultural employees across South Asia & Middle East. His expertise lies in engaging and influencing stakeholders across functions of different sizes and scales. He has industry exposure in Energy, Power, Appliances, Lighting, Automation, Retail, Tools, and IT.
Manoj Gopalakrishnan
DIRECTOR HEALTH, SAFETY, SECURITY & ENVIRONMENT
Mr. Manoj Gopalakrishnan is the Head of HSSE for Sobha Constructions and Business Head of Latinem Securities LLC. With an impressive 38-year career in safety management and HSE, he leads a combined team of over 550 members. Mr. Gopalakrishnan has extensive experience developing HSEMS procedures for diverse industries and projects, and is well-versed in international safety practices and regulations. His career includes senior roles at Lodha Group, Multiform LLC, and Engineers Office in Dubai, as well as his own business ventures. His qualifications include NEBOSH, OSHA, and ISO certifications, alongside a background in aircraft maintenance engineering from the Indian Navy and a Bachelor of Arts degree.
Guruswamy Periyasamy
CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER
Mr. Guruswamy Periyasamy is a senior technology leader with extensive experience in setting up and managing technology organizations, and driving digital transformation across multiple industries such as real estate, airlines, and financial services. He currently heads up Information Technology for Sobha Group of companies and is spearheading the Group’s Digital Transformation program. He has earlier held senior management positions in Emirates Airlines, Air Arabia, Dubai Holding in UAE, as well as National Stock Exchange and L&T in India.
He has personally led teams across a broad spectrum of technology functions including IT strategy, architecture, risk & governance, portfolio and project management, digital products development, large enterprise system implementation, infrastructure, cybersecurity, and technology innovation. Besides these, his deep understanding of technology functions, commercial acumen, and people management skills have enabled him to be part of numerous strategic organizational initiatives in his previous roles.
Guruswamy is a Mechanical Engineering graduate and an MBA (Finance) from Bombay University. He holds certifications in Project Management and IT organizational processes, as well as in Executive Leadership from the University of Warwick.
Aruldhevan Chellasamy
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT
Pradeep Kink Ravanan
HEAD, BUSINESS EXCELLENCE
Mr. Pradeep is a distinguished Business Excellence professional with robust expertise in Quality Management and Operational Excellence. With over 20+ years of experience spanning diverse industries including manufacturing and process industries in India and UAE, he brings a unique blend of technical acumen and strategic insight to his roles. His comprehensive experience and commitment towards TQM implementation across organizations play a pivotal role in driving forward Sobha’s vision of being a pioneer in transforming the construction industry.
Passionate about the application of Total Quality Management (TQM) as a catalyst for business improvement, he has worked closely with internationally acclaimed TQM experts. In 2019, he joined Sobha Constructions and pioneered the implementation of Business Excellence practices, which have since become integral to Sobha's operational ethos. He has shown a deep understanding of industry dynamics and a proactive approach to driving innovation and efficiency.
Rajaikepin Rajamony
BUSINESS HEAD, SOBHA FACADES & SOBHA MODULAR
Mr. Rajaikepin Rajamoni leads Sobha Modular, the esteemed off-site manufacturing division of Sobha Realty, which is transforming the construction industry with cutting-edge modularization techniques. His visionary leadership has elevated Sobha Modular to a global industry leader.
Operating two state-of-the-art divisions—Facades and Pods—within a vast 250,000 sqm facility in the UAE, Sobha Modular excels in innovation and automation, enhancing both quality and efficiency. The company is on a path of continued expansion, adding new divisions in line with Sobha Group's backward integration strategy.
Under Rajaikepin's astute guidance, the Pre-Engineered Bathroom (PODs) division has become the world's largest in terms of production volumes for this typology. Additionally, the Facades division is the first facade company to receive ISO 18404 certification, adhering to Lean and Six Sigma philosophies.
Rajaikepin's strategic management focuses on fostering a culture of Self-Managed Lean Teams, significantly boosting the morale and productivity of over 2,000 employees. The pillars of Operational Excellence, Sustainability, and Digital Transformation drive daily operations, ensuring continuous improvement and setting new industry standards.
Committed to transitioning industrial construction from traditional methods to modern practices, Rajaikepin integrates refined cross-industry best practices. His leadership is propelling Sobha Modular to the forefront of modular construction, supporting Sobha Realty’s mission to be a distinguished player on the global stage.
Syed Abdul Majeed
HEAD, FACILITIES MANAGEMENT
Mr. Syed Abdul Majeed is a self-motivated, organized, and ambitious individual with over 21 years of experience in facilities and energy management in the UAE and India. Currently, serving as the General Manager of Latinem Facilities Management (LFM), he has experience operating in fast-paced, high-pressure environments, including managing high-capacity MEP equipment, chillers (both water and air-cooled), and hospital systems. He is a strategic thinker and holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the College of Engineering Adoor - Cochin University of Science & Technology.
His strong management skills encompass maintenance management, predictive maintenance, planned maintenance, training, inventory management, auditing, and accounting. He possesses extensive technical knowledge in delivering services that maximize efficiencies and drive quality while simultaneously achieving financial targets.
He strongly believes in delivering services through building a robust team via employee development and fostering strong working and customer relationships. He has insightful knowledge of asset management with RAM principles (Reliability, Availability, and Maintainability) and specializes in HVAC system design, operation, and troubleshooting.
As an astute professional, he applies RCM (Reliability Centered Maintenance) and Six Sigma concepts to improve maintenance practices using tools like bathtub curves, failure patterns, MTBF, and MTTR. His excellent planning and organizing skills contribute to business improvement through enhancements in organizational structure and effective processes.
Diwakar Kheterpal
DIRECTOR, PROCUREMENT
Mr. Diwakar Kheterpal is a dedicated procurement professional with over 23 years of experience in diverse industries, including retail, construction, aviation, and manufacturing. He has held senior leadership positions at IKEA India, GMR Delhi Airport, and Blue Star, contributing significantly to their success. At IKEA, he developed and executed project delivery and procurement strategies, including large mixed-use developments. At GMR Delhi Airport, he played a key role in the construction and operation of Terminal 3. Since December 2023, he has been the Director of Procurement at Sobha Group in Dubai, driving strategic procurement practices and supplier relationship management. Mr. Kheterpal holds a B. Tech in Mechanical Engineering from Aligarh Muslim University and an MBA from Management Development Institute, Gurugram.